Method of sealing vessels and joints thereof



Sept. 13, i966 R. L.. ROACH 3,272,894

METHOD OF SEALING VESSELS AND JOINTS THEREOF Original Filed Sept. 24. 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l M RESERVOIR Tf/cf PUMP f/j" n n n /4 /2 /5 /f /0 @l INVENTOR.

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BY Wmhww Sept 13 WM R. a.. -RQACH 3,272,394

I METHOD OF SEALING VESSELS AND JOINTS THEREOF Original Filed Sept. 24. 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR, P05597' 5 ROA CH A TTM/Vf x United States Patent 3,272,894 METHOD 0F SEAIJING VESSELS AND JOINTS THEREOF Robert Lee Roach, West Chester, Pa., assignor to West Chester Chemical Company, West Chester, Pa., a partnership consisting of W. L. Williams, H. A. Bogie, and IE. 0. I-Iilbush Original application Sept. 24, 1957, Ser. No. 685,784. Divided and this application June 6, 1961, Ser. No. 115,099

9 Claims. (Cl. 264-36) This application is a division of application Serial No. 685,784, filed September 24, 1957, and now abandoned.

My invention relates to sealants, and it relates more particularly to sealants which are adapted to be used in sealing conduits such for instance as pipes, Vessels such for instance as underground reservoirs, and packing and joints relating to same.

In the use of underground conduits, as for instance those consisting of pipelines comprising bell and spigot joints, serious problems have arisen, particularly in instances where the conduit is used for conveying illuminating gas. In communities where suchconduits were laid for manufactured illuminating gas, it has been customary for the bell and spigot joints to be packed with caulked jute or other fibrous material, and the outside of the joint itself caulked. The water vapor content of manufactured gas was sufiicient to keep the jute in a swollen state and thereby maintain the joint in fully packed condition. In communities of this kind, where manufactured gas Was replaced by natural gas, it was discovered that instead of retaining the moisture in the jute packing, the flow of dry natural gas aspirated the moisture out of the jute packing, thereby effecting a shrinkage of the jute. This in many instances resulted in the formation of leaks in the bell and spigot joints. Moreover, such pipe lines were, as a rule, laid in the bed of streets and are subject to the stresses of forces transmitted to them by the pounding and vibration of vehicular traic on said streets, or yby settling of the pipe due to undermining or other causes. So long as the jute remained charged with moisture, the packing was sutiiciently resilient to yield to these forces without relinquishing its packing pressure. But when the jute was dried out, it lost its internal pressure which forced the packing fibers into resilient -contact one with another, and against the walls of the bell and spigot joint or the caulking thereof. Instead, said pounding and vibration or settling forces not only tend to maneuver the dry jute loose from said walls or caulking, but also tend to separate the dry fibers of the jute, one from another. Thus the tendency toward leakage is further enhanced.

Hitherto, such leaks were corrected either by removing the pavement and experimentally digging down to the pipe in an effort first to locate the leak and then to remedy the same by replacing or cementing the packing, or by the use of expensive and complex machinery for larger diameter pipes to locate a given joint and internally apply cement thereto. In either event, the process was not only uncertain and costly but required the gas main to be out of use for a relatively long time. Moreover, attempts to restore the swollen state of the fibrous packing have had fugitive results, due to drying or leaching of the material used.

I have discovered that by the use of a new process involved in my invention, it is possible to seal a conduit or Vessel, whether of the gas main type o1 otherwise, and whether it incorporates a jute or other fiber packing or otherwise, without removing the paving or digging, or using expensive or complex machinery. Moreover, it is accomplished in a minimum of time and with a maximum 3,272,894 Patented Sept. 13, 1966 ICC assurance that the leak will be readily found and completely sealed, the sealing being dependable and substantially permanent, and without adversely affecting the flow or nature of the fluid carried or held by said conduit or vessel. Not only so, but my invention makes it possible to seal actual iissures in the conduit or vessel, which lformerly would require patching, caulking or actual replacement.

In the practice of my invention, I employ a sealant which is pumped or otherwise introduced into the interior of the conduit or vessel while in a liquid state until the receptacle is as nearly full as possible. By a combination of capillary action, hydrostatic pressure, and ionic attraction, the sealant flows into and penetrates the fissure or joint, iilling the spaces therein and particularly filling the interstices between the adjacent fibers of the packing and between the packing and the walls or caulking of the joint, and substantially wetting said walls or caulking in the process. The excess liquid sealant is then pumped -or otherwise drawn out of said interior, leaving a thin lm of said sealant deposited against the walls and packing. The sealant is of such a nature as not only to penetrate the intersti-ces between adjacent fibers, but also to deposit a filler therein while at the same time embracing said fibers in such a manner as to uti-lize the fibers as llers; and then on drying after the withdrawal of said excess from the interior, to cure in a relatively short time, changing the general physical characteristics from a liquid to an elastic, tough, and rubbery mass which itself packs the ssures, and cements the fibers together while anchoring the whole mass of fibers into the joint.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred by me, since the same have been found to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized, and that my invention is not limited to the precise arangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring now to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 represents a diagrammatic view of a vessel such as a gas main being internally sealed in accordance with the process of my invention.

FIGURE 2 represents an enlarged sectional View of the bell and spigot joint illustrated in FIGURE 1 before the application of my process thereto.

FIGURE 3 represents a sectional view similar to FIG- URE 2, and illustrating one stage of my process, wherein the interior of the vessel is substantially filled with a sealant in accordance with my invention.

FIGURE 4 represents a sectional view similar to FIG- URE 2 and illustrating a subsequent stage of my process, in which all excess liquid sealant has been evacuated, leaving a thin rubbery film adhering to the interior of the vessel and united to a tough, rubbery mass reenforced by the fibers of the original packing, in accordance with my invention.

FIGURE 5 represents a greatly enlarged view of a section of the bell and spigot joint illustrated in FIG- URE 2, illustrating the penetration of the filamentous packing by means of ionic attraction, in .accordance with the process of my invention.

FIGURE 6 represents a section view similar to FIG- URE 5, illustrating the coagulated sealant embracing the fibers of the penetrated packing, following the withdrawal of excess sealant from the vessel, in accordance with my inventlon.

FIGURE 7 represents a greatly enlarged view of a section of a bell and spigot joint in which caulking was used in place of fiber, and in which leaks were formed through the caulking and through a wall of the vessel, said joint having thereafter been sealed by means of the process of my invention.

FIGURE 8 represents a magnified view of sealant containing fiber-type fillers in accordance with my invention.

While my invention is adapted for use with substantially any type of conduit, reservoir, vessel or container, any of which may hereafter be referred to as a vessel, for purposes of illustration only, the accompanying drawings illustrate a gas main having a bell and spigot joint. Thus, the gas main may be referred to generally by the reference numeral 10, and comprises a bell and spigot joint 11, a fitting 12 and a cut-off valve 13. The fitting 12 is adapted to have connected therewith a suitable conduit 14 leading from a pump 15 which in turn is connected to a reservoir 16 by any suitable means 17, operably to transfer the contents of the reservoir into the interior of the gas main wherein said contents may remain under pressure, and then to withdraw the excess contents from said gas main and back into the reservoir 16.

The bell and spigot joint 11 comprises the spigot 18 having an end edge 19 and an end exterior wall region 20 inserted within the `bell 21 having an interior wall region 22 and an interior seat portion 23. Filamentous packing such for instance as jute 24 may be -disposed between the spigot 18 and the bell 21 in a manner to be tightly packed between the exterior wall region 20 of the spigot 18 and the interior wall 22 of the bell 21, and between the end edge 19 of the spigot 18 and the seal portion 23 of the bell 21. Additional caulking such for instance as lead or other suitable material 25 may be disposed between the spigot 18 and bell 21 and exterior of the filamentous packing 24.

When it is desired to seal this joint in accordance with the process of my invention, the conduit 14 may lbe fitted to the gas main 20, .and if desired the cut-off valve 13 may be closed. A sealant 26 of a type preferably comprising a liquid dispersion of elastomeric rubbery solids, a stabilizing agent, a curing agent, a low temperature cure accelerator .and reenforcing material, and which may bear a cationic charge, may `be carried in the reservoir 16 and may then be led out of said reservoir and into the interior of the gas main 10 by means of the pump 15 until the interior of the gas main 10 is substantially full, as illustrated in FIGURE 3. The sealant 26 then penetrates the interstices between the filaments in the packing 24, and all fissures wherever said sealant comes in contact with them. This is accomplished not merely by the pressure of the liquid sealant 26 within the vessel 10 tending to force itself through said interstices and fissures, or the normal capillary attraction between the surfaces surrounding said openings and said liquid, but also by the ionic attraction 'between opposite charges. Thus, in the case of the jute 24 which normally has a negative ionic charge as illustrated by the negative symbols 27 in FIG- URE 5, the cationic sealant 26, whose positive charge is illustrated by the plus symbols 28, is drawn through the interstices 29 between the jute fibers 30 by said ionic attraction between the opposite charges.

The thus established penetration is of such `a nature as not only to fill the interstices between the fibers, but to fill the region 31 adjacent the interior 32 of the gas main 10 and between the end edge 19 of the spigot 1S and the seal portion 23 of the bell 21, operably to embrace the fibers within the sealant 26 in said region 31.

T-he excess liquid sealant 26 is then pumped out of the gas main 10 as by means of the pump 15, and back into the reservoir 16 for re-use for sealing other vessels; and for the purpose of this pumping operation, suitable venting may be used such as opening the cut-off valve 13. A residue of the sealant 26 will however have wet the interior 32 of the gas main 10 operably to coat the same; and the combination of ionic and capillary attraction between the sealant and the fibers 30 is so much greater than the withdrawing action of the pump 15, that virtually no sealant is lost from the region 31. The conduit 14 may then be removed from the fitting 12, the cutoff valve 13 fully opened, and the gas main 10 allowed to resume its normal operation of conveying gas. The flow of gas therethrough tends to aspirate moisture from the sealant which has wet the interior 32 of the main 10, and from the sealant in the region 31, operably to dry the same. As drying takes place, the latex in the sealant coagulates and cures to form a tough, rubbery mass 33 reenforced by jute fibers in the region 31, and a thin rubbery film 34 coating the interior 32 of the gas main 10 operably further to protect it from leaks which could possibly form through fissures which had not yet penetrated the interior.

In FIGURE 7 is illustrated the operation of the process of my invention in sealing leaks which are not associated with fibrous packing. Thus, a caulking 35 such for instance as a metallic type caulking may be disposed between the bell 21 and spigot 18. Should a fissure 36 have formed through the caulking 35, or a fissure 37 have formed through the wall of the gas main 10, the process of my invention can be used permanently to remedy the same. Thus, the sealant 26 may be introduced to the gas main 1f) by means of the reservoir 16 and pump 15 as heretofore described until the interior is substantially full of sealant. The pressure of the liquid within the main 10 tends to force the liquid sealant through the fissures 36 and 37, and this penetrating action is Ifurther enhanced by capillary attraction. When the sealant is then removed from the interior of the gas main 10, as by means of the pump 15, the entire interior will have been wet by the sealant 26 4operably to leave a coating thereon. As this coating dries, whether by flow of gas through the main or by normal drying action, the latex in the sealant coating the interior coagulates leaving a film 38 throughout the interior and joining the latex plugs 39 in the fissures 36, 37. These latex plugs consist of a tough, rubbery mass. In the case of sealant which comprises a reenforcing agent consisting of filamentous materials 40 for instance as illustrated in magnified form in FIGURE 8, the filamentous materials themselves lend considerable strength to the mass. Moreover, the adhesive attraction of the latex to the filaments supplements the cohesive strength of the latex operably greatly to increase the strength of the plug 39 and to resist any physical force such for instance as street vibration which could possibly tend adversely to affect the seal. However, my invention is not limited to a sealant reenforoed by filamentous particles, but contemplates the use of any sealant as defined in the claims.

I have found that such a sealant which has proven satisfactory for this purpose can Ibe made by suspending in water a curing agent, curing accelerator, filler, re-enforcing agent and anti-oxidant, and combining the same with an aqueous solution of dispersing agent, colloid stabilizer and an aqueous dispersion of stabilized latex. This may be done in many different ways, and the following examples are to be taken as illustrative of ways which have proven practical:

Example I The following ingredients were charged into an 18 diameter x 18 long pebble mill half filled with fiint pebbles ranging downward in size from approyimately 3% diameter.

Pounds Water 25.00 Carbon black 7.50 Zinc oxide 7.50 Sulfur (sublimed) 1.50 Thiocarbanilide 1.50 Phenyl beta naphthylamine 1.50 Sodium hydroxide 0.04 Tert-dodecyl thioether 0.15

Ethylene oxide-resin amine After grinding for 24 hours with the mill rotating at 30 revolutions/minute, the charge was removed from the mill and added to cationic polychloroprene latex as follows: 73 pounds of cationic polychloroprene latex containing approximately 50% polychloroprene by weight was placed in an agitated vessel, the agitation energy being equivalent to 0.5 horsepower/ 100 gallons. Tert-dodecyl thioether as a 25% water solution was added in a quantity of 0.10 pound. A 10% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol was added in an amount of 4.5 pounds, both of these stabilizers being added with the agitator running. After the stabilizers were added to the latex and with the agitator still running, the dispersed solids from the ball mill were added to the latex at a uniform rate over a period of minutes. After all of the dispersed solids were added to the latex, agilation was continued for another 5 minutes.

Example 2 The following ingredients were charged into an 18 diameter X 18 long pebble mill half filled with flint pebbles ranging downward in size from approximately S diameter.

Pounds Water 25.0 Carbon black 7.50

Zinc oxide 7.50 Sulfur `(sublimed) 1.50 Thiocarbanilide 1.50 -Phenyl beta naphthylamine 1.50 Sodium hydroxide 0.04 Tert-dodecyl thioether 0.15 Sodium salt of lignin sulfonic acid 0.10

After grinding for 24 hours with the mill rotating at 30 revolutions/minute, the charge was removed from the mill and added to anionic polychloroprene latex as follows:

73 pounds of anionic polychloroprene latex containing 50% (approximately) polychloroprene by weight was placed in an agitated vessel, the agitation energy being equivalent -to 0.5 horsepower/ 100 gallons. Tert-dodecyl thioether as a 25% water solution was added in a quantity of 0.10 pound. A aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol was added in an amount equal to 4.5 pounds. Both of these stabilizers were added with the agitator running. After the stabilizers were added to the latex, and with the agitator still running, the dispersed solids from the ball mill were added to the latex at a uniform rate over a period of 5 minutes. After all of the dispersed solids were added to the latex, agitation was continued for another 5 minutes to assure uniformity of mixing.

Example 3 Same as Example 2 excepting latex used was a copolymer of butadiene and styrene.

Example 4 Same as Example 2, excepting latex used was a copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile.

Example 5 Same as Example 2, excepting that an ammonia free natural rubber latex was used. This was prepared from a commercially available natural rubber latex by adding a 3% aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide at the rate of one pound per 25 pounds of 50% natural rubber latex and blowing nitrogen gas through the latex at the rate of 0.1 cubic foot/minute for 8 hours to remove the ammonia gas.

The foregoing examples are intended to illustrate and should not be inferred to limit. Indeed, any elastometric latex may be used, care being taken .to provide a cationic latex in the combination indicated for Example 1, and anionic latex for the combinations indicated in Examples 2 to 5 inclusive.

Thus, also the zinc oxide can be replaced by another curing agent. Such agents which I have found will pro- -mote an effective cure include magnesim oxide, and lead oxide; although I have found that zinc oxide is preferable.

The thiocarbanilide is one of several satisfactory low temperature cure accelerators. Another one which I have found satisfactory is thiuramdisulde.

The phenyl beta naphthylamine can be replaced by phenyl alpha naphthylamine or by any other suitable antioxidant.

The sodium hydroxide can be replaced by lithium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.

The tert-dodecyl thioether can be replaced by any water soluble non-ionic surface active agent.

The sodium salt of lignin sulfonic acid can be replaced by -any suitable anionic water soluble surface active agent, such for instance as either of the agents which may be obtained commercially under the trademark Emulphor- O-N or Aerosol-O-T, said Emulphor-O-N being composed of polythylene ether stearate, and said Aerosol-O-T being composed of dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate.

The polyvinyl alcohol can be replaced by any suitable soluble stabilizing agent for the latex.

The carbon black can -be replaced by any of a large number of other suitable reinforcing agents, such for instance `as clays, Whiting, selected pigments, and fibers. An effective reinforcing agent was Ifound to 'be fiberglass of a length between M6 and 1A, introduced at the final agitation stage in place of the milling stage, and preferably of the same `specific gravity -as that of the liquid in which it was introduced. In the case of fiber-type fillers, it was found that the ultimately cured seal was considerably toughened and strengthened by virtue of reducing the distance between anchor locations of the elastomer. The elastomer was thus shortened from anchor location to .anchor location, even though the space to be filled by the sealant may -have been substantially large. In this way, 'large fissures Iand indeed substantial openings in conduits were effectively sealed.

Moreover, for certain purposes a satisfactory sealant was made according to the foregoing examples with less than all the ingredients, or their replacements, specified therein. Thus, it was found that the reinforcing agent `such as carbon 'black or its replacements, the sulphur, the curing accelerator such as the thiocarbanilide or its replacements, antioxidant such as the phenyl beta naphthylamine or 4its replacement, the latex stabilizer such as the polyvinyl alcohol, and in some instances the long chain fatty acid amide, could variously, severally or all be deleted without preventing a sealant from being made which Would be satisfactory for certain purposes. However each of these ingredients contributes substantially to the sealant which I -have found most desirable.

Also, in place of milling, other known means of homogenization may be used.

It has also lbeen found that variations may be used in the proportions of ingredients, and still produce a sealant which may be satisfactory for given purposes. For instance, referring to the amounts of milled ingredients specified in Examples 1 and 2, the Zinc oxide may be used in amounts between 2 pounds and 12 pounds, the sodiumhydroxide may be used in amounts between .04 pound and .50 pound, the tert-dodecyl thioether may be used in .amounts between .l0 pound and 1.00 pound. The ethylene oxide-rosin amine adduct may be used in .amounts between 3.0 pounds and 10.0 pounds, land the long chain fatty acid amide may be used in amounts between .25 pound and 3.00 pounds. The sodium salt of lignin sulfonic acid may be used -in `amounts between .05 pound and 1.00 pound. And in the latex composition as described prior to the introduction of the milled ingredients, the tert-dodecyl thioether may be used in amounts between .06 pound and 1.0 pound. Also the polyvinyl alcohol may `be used in amounts up to 13.5 pounds.

The percentage of water may also be varied. Thus, I have found that my sealant will work satisfactorily for various purposes when the solid content thereof is between and 55%. Above 55% instability may occur. Below 30% there is a substantial reduction in the rate of penetration and deposition.

I also found that, particularly when the packing required to be sealed consists of jute or other organic fiber, that modification of my sealant which includes cationic latex penetrates much more quickly and effectively, the

- positively charged latex hav-ing a marked -attraction for the negatively charged organic fibers, not only increasing the speed of penetrationo, but also substantially increasing the strength of the seal. Not only so, but the ethylene oxide-rosin amine adduct and the long chain fatty acid amide, are corrosion inhibitors which would further contribute to the protection of the conduit or vessel being sealed.

Moreover, the sealant of my invention is non-toxic, nonvolatile, non-explosive, non-flammable when in liquid form, and non-fiammable when in coagulated form when the latex is polychloroprene, and inert in the presence of aliphatic hydrocarbons such for instance as illuminating gas, and may be introduced into a conduit and withdrawn therefrom as described hereinabove without coagulation, so that the thus withdrawn sealant can be used again and again in the same manner. Not only so, lbut when thus introduced `and withdrawn it not only penetrates and seals the joints, fibers and fissures, but it also leaves a thin film .about the interior of the conduit or vessel, w'hich coagulates and cures into a permanent seal against future fissures that may form in the conduit or vessel structure. This film, Iin the case of the Product of Examples 1 and 2, may have a thickness of .002 inch to .003 inch. Also, the penetrated fissures, fibers, openings and joints are very substantially strengthened 'by the resultant coagulated and cured sealant, particularly when `a reinforcing agent is contained therein.

The term vessel, used in the title and the claims, is intended to include conduits, reservoirs, vessels or containers which are treated by the method of this invention.

I am aware that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and I therefore desire the present embodiment to lbe considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new Iand desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of sealing and coating a leak in a vessel wherein the leak region comprises a joint having packing and adjacent surfaces, said leak region having an elec- .trical charge; which comprises fthe steps of wetting the articles to be sealed with a sealant composition containing a stable aqueous dispersion of elastomeric rubbery solids and a surface-active agent, said composition having an ionic-active charge opposite to the electrical charge of said leak region so as to penetrate said leaks; removing excess of the sealant composition to leave a film deposited on said article, and drying the sealant composition retained by said article to provide an elastic rubbery mass for sealing said leaks.

2. The method of sealing la joint comprising component parts and a filamentous material having an electrical charge and disposed therebetween, said method cornprising the steps of penetrating said filamentous material a substantial distance with a sealant composition containing uncoagulated latex to fill interstices within said filamentous material, said sealant composition having an ionic-active charge opposite to the electrical charge of said filamentous material, followed by the coagulation of the latex in situ in said filamentous material to embrace at least a portion of said filamentous material within a rubbery mass and form a reinforced rubbery seal between the components of said joint and bonded thereto.

3. The method of sealing a joint having an electrical charge and comprising component parts and a filamentous material disposed therebetween, said method comprising the steps of penetrating said joint including said filamentous material a substantial distance, with a sealant composition containing uncoagulated latex to fill interstices lbetween the filaments of said material and interstices in said joint in said thus penetrated regions, said sealant composition having an ionic-active charge opposite to said electrical charge at said interstices, followed by the coagulation in situ of the latex retained in said joint to embrace at least a portion of said filamentous material `Within a rubbery mass and form a reinforced rubbery seal within said joint and bonded thereto.

4. The method of sealing the interior of a jointed vessel comprising a joint packed with fibrous packing material, which includes the steps of substantially completely filling said vessel with a liquid stable coagulable aqueous latex sealant composition, maintaining said sealant composition in contact with the interior of said vessel and said joint to permit said sealant composition to flow into and fill interstices in said vessel and in said packed joint and between the walls of said vessel and said packing, withdrawing excess uncoagulated sealant composition from said vessel, drying the residual sealant composition retained in said vessel in a manner to permit coagulation of said sealant composition While said composition fills said interstices and embraces fibers of said packing material.

5. The method of sealing the interior of a jointed vessel comprising a joint packed with fibrous packing material, which includes the steps of substantially completely filling said vessel with la stable coagulable aqueous latex sealant composition under pressure, maintaining said sealant composition in contact with the interior of said vessel and said joint to permit said sealant composition to flow into and fill interstices in said vessel and in said packed joint and between the walls of said vessel and said packing, withdrawing excess uncoagulated seal ant composition from said vessel, drying the residual sealant composition retained in said vessel in a manner to permit coagulation of said sealant composition while said composition fills said interstices and embraces fibers of said packing material.

6. The process of sealing the interior of a vessel having a leak which comprises the steps of substantially completely filling the interior of fthe vessel with a liquid, stable coagulable aqueous latex sealant composition under pressure, said composition comprising a low temperature cure accelerator maintaining said sealant composition in contact with the interior surface of said vessel to permit said sealant composition to flow into While filling said leak and wetting the interior surface of excess vessel, removing said uncoagulated sealant composition from said vessel and leaving a residual film deposited on the surface of said vessel and residual sealant composition in said leak, drying the sealant composition retained in said vessel to provide a coagulated seal for said leak and a coagulated film on the interior surface of the Vessel, and allowing said low temperature cure accelerator to produce a substantially quick cure of said coagulated composition Without the administration of heat.

7. Method of repairing a vessel having a leak in an out-of-the-way portion thereof, said leak being in communication with an accessible portion thereof; said method comprising introducing a stable, coagulable aqueous latex sealant composition having a curing .agent and a low temperature cure accelerator, into said vessel through said accessible portion and thus charging said vessel with said sealant composition until said sealant composition has reached `said leak; maintaining said sealant `composition in contact with said leak to permit said composition to flow into and plug said leak; removing excess uncoagulated sealant composition from said vessel antd leaving residual sealant composition in .said leak; drying the sealant composition Within said vessel and allowing said retained composition to coagulate; .and allowing said combined l-ow-temperature cure accelerator and said curing agent to produce a substantially quick cure of said coagulated composition Without the administration of heat.

8. The method of sealing a vessel having a ioint comprising component parts and :a fibrous material disposed therebetween and having an electrical charge, said vessel including an interstice, said method comprising the steps of substantially filling the interior of said vessel with a liquid sealant composition under pressure, said composition comprising uncoagulated latex, 1a stabilizing agent, `a curing agent, a low temperature oure accelerator, and iilamentous reinforcing material, said composition having an ionic-active charge opposite to the electrical charge of said lamentous material; maintaining said composition in contact with said brous material to permit said composition to penetrate the same a substantial distance and to enter said interstice; removing excess uncoagulated composition from said vessel and leaving residual composition on the interior of said vessel and within said fibrous material and said interstice; allowing the interior 'of said vessel to dry and thereby to coagulate the retained composition within said interior and between the component pants of said joint -operably to form between said component parts a tough, rubbery mass reinforced by the fibers of said ibrous material, and within said interstice a tough, rubbery plug, said rubbery mass and plug being unified with the rubbery coating adjoining said joint and formed by the coagulation of the residual composition adhering to the joint in the vicinity of said brous material.

9. The method of sealing the interior of jointed vessels which comprise .a joint packed with fibrous packing material, said method including the steps of substantially `completely iilling at least one of said vessels with a stable, coagulable aqueous latex sealant composition, maintaining said sealant composition in contact with the interior of said vessel and said joint to permit said sealant composition to flow into and fill interstices in said vessel and in said packed joint and between the walls of said vessel and said packing, withdrawing excess uncoagulated sealant composition from said Vessel, drying the residual sealant composition retained in said vessel in a manner to permit coagulation of said sealant composition while said composition fills said interstices and embraces fibers of said packing material, and reusing the withdrawn uncoagulated sealant composition in a similar manner.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,094,692 10/ 1937 Hitz. 2,202,617 5/ 1940 Bishop. 2,429,698 10/ 1947 Schneider 117-97 2,651,618 9/1953 Hall et al. 117-163 2,837,122 6/1958 Shaw et al. 106-33 X 2,885,299 5/1959 Labino 117-2 2,995,512 8/1961 Weidner et tal. 117-163 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 699,288 2/ 1931 France.

ROBERT F. WHITE, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM I. STEPHENSON, MORRIS LIEBMAN,

ALEXANDER H. BRODMERKEL, Examiners.

F. MARLOWE, L. S. SQUIRES, Assistant Examiners. 

1. THE METHOD OF SEALING AND COATING A LEAK IN A VESSEL WHEREIN THE LEAK REGION COMPRISES A JOINT HAVING PACKING AND ADJACENT SURFACES, SAID LEAK REGION HAVING AN ELECTRICAL CHARGE; WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF WETTING THE ARTICLES TO BE SEALED WITH A SEALANT COMPOSITION CONTAINING A STABLE AQUEOUS DISPERSION OF ELASTOMERIC RUBBERY SOLIDS AND A SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT, SAID COMPOSITION HAVING AN IONIC-ACTIVE CHARGE OPPOSITE TO THE ELECTRICAL CHARGE OF SAID LEAK REGION AS TO PENETRATE SAID LEAKS; REMOVING EXCESS OF THE SEALANT COMPOSITION TO LEAVE A FILM DEPOSITED ON SAID ARTICLE, AND DRYING THE SEALENT COMPOSITION RETAINED BY SAID ARTICLE TO PROVIDE AN ELASTIC RUBBERY MASS FOR SEALING SAID LEAKS. 